Norma Ryles interest in Interior Architecture and Design began with planning in residential design. Architectural planning was introduced to her at an early age and from that moment she began learning formally how to design a space. Norma was fascinated in how her vision of a space can be transformed from a concept to a technical drawing that can be built or made. It wasn’t enough for her to learn the basics of creating an interior space; Norma wanted to learn more about design. From that moment, she has been dedicated to a lifelong journey with the art of creating, enhancing, and sustaining interior spaces. After graduating from San Jose State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Design, she began as practitioner for several years in the corporate, retail, and commercial industry. Norma's first major project was in Retail Design, designing and implementing construction documents for Super Cut’s Hair Boutiques, and producing construction documents for high-rise corporate and workplace built environments.
Because of the innovations of technology and design, Norma has always known that it is very important to maintain her career according to industry standards and, keep up with the design trends. Although it is very important to translate a concept to design artistically and aesthetically pleasing, it is a good asset to attain innovative ways of communicating design in the 21st century.
This insight encouraged her to pursue my Master of Fine Art in Interior Architecture and Design. After graduate school, in 2012, she was appointed to the ASID Board of Directors as Chair of Emerging Professionals. Although she has many years of design experience and leadership roles in the industry, it has been an honor for Norma to work and be a part of the ASID community because it has allowed her to give of her knowledge and service, and receive the plethora of opportunity that comes with it. Norma became an award winning Designer in 2014, when she received professional recognition and awarded a Design Excellence Award, for her distinguished concept and design which demonstrated Interior Architecture and Design and technical abilities. She was elected ASID President-Elect to the Board of Directors for the ASID California North San Francisco Chapter and will serve as President in 2015.